Daniel Adamson Preservation Society

Press Secretary

John H. Luxton 

236 Smithdown Road

Liverpool

L15 5AH

Tel: 07973363370

Email: luxtonjh@btinternet.com

For Immediate Release – February 07, 2006

Media Release

Daniel Adamson Moves Forward to the Project Planning Phase  

The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society is pleased to announce that the historic steam tug-tender “Daniel Adamson” was moved from its current berth in Liverpool Docks across the Mersey to Birkenhead on Friday February 3rd, 2006.

The move was undertaken as the society has now been authorised by the Heritage Lottery Fund to commence work associated with the survey and planning phase of the project which they have part funded.

The “Daniel Adamson” was towed courtesy of Svitzer Marine to a temporary new berth at the Bidston yard of Northwestern Ship Repairers. At this location a specialist contractor will remove asbestos lagging from around the boiler.

The “Daniel Adamson” will then be dry docked in the Bidston Dry Dock to facilitate a full survey of the vessel by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

This survey will form the basis of the society’s further application HLF and others for funding to enable the “Daniel Adamson” to be returned to full working order, operating on the River Mersey, Weaver Navigation and Manchester Ship Canal under the class V passenger certificate which the vessel once held when in service.

Commenting on the move DAPS Chairman Tony Hirst said, "We are delighted that the support that we have received from the HLF, supporting organisations and members is now enabling us to take this major step of undertaking detailed surveys of the tug which will enable us to develop a plan based on measured information for the restoration of the Daniel Adamson to her former glory and operational condition".

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

v      The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage.  From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy.  Since its conception, HLF have supported 16,600 projects allocating over £3.3 billion across the UK.

v      The Daniel Adamson is a unique twin-screw steam tug-tender (means built for both towing barges and carrying passengers) constructed in 1903 for the Shropshire Union Canal and Railway Company by the Tranmere Bay Development Company in Birkenhead.

v      Originally named “Ralph Brocklebank” the vessel was purchased by the Manchester Ship Canal Company in 1921 where she served as the company’s hospitality tender carrying directors, guests, dignitaries and potential users of their canal on inspection tours of the canal until late 1984 when she was retired from service. Since then until March 2004 she was a static exhibit at the Boat Museum in Ellesmere Port.

v      The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society was formed in 2004 as a registered charity, with the objective of restoring her to her former glory and active passenger carrying on the Merseyside and Cheshire and Manchester waterways.

v      Since then members have expended over 10,500 hours work on her towards full restoration.

v      During 2005 the Daniel Adamson was because of her importance placed on the “Designated List” of craft on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

v      When restored the “Daniel Adamson” will be the oldest operational Merseyside built ship in the world.

v      The Society acknowledges the support of Carmet Tugs, Geoff Heaps & Partners, James Walker Sealing Technology, John Tiere and Company, JPS Scaffolding, Liverpool Pilots. National Museums, Liverpool, Makita UK, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, Merseyside Fire Brigade Museum, North Western Ship Repairers, Peel Holdings, Sealex Ltd, Sigma Coatings, Svitzer Marine and Wymark Ltd.

v      For further information please go to the society’s web site www.danieladamson.co.uk. High-resolution photographs of the Daniel Adamson suitable for reproduction can be downloaded from www.danieladamson.co.uk/press/press.htm.

v      Details of the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society can be obtained from Patrick Crecraft at the address below.

Daniel Adamson Preservation Society Contacts:

Chairman: Tony Hirst, 39, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1AB.  Tel: 01244 373880

Email: tony@thenterprises.fsnet.co.uk

Vice Chairman: Dan Cross - 17 Cedardale Park, Barrows Green, Widnes.  Tel: 0151 4231393  Mobile: 07979865391.  Email: dan@uptonrocks.fsnet.co.uk

Society Secretary / Membership Secretary:  Patrick Crecraft, 8, Newlands, Naseby, Northampton